Beto

This must be my second saddest day of my life after my own father's passing about a year ago.

Some of you have been following closely the pain and suffering of Sussie, our little baby, which began shortly before Christmas.

She was operated of pyometra on Christmas Eve. All her reproductive organs had to be removed.

The operation, in itself, was a success. But blood toxicity complications threw us another uglier curveball, for her cardiovascular system suffered a huge impact. She fell ill with a nasty edema that did swell her jowls and neck, and made it difficult for her to move around.

We kept her under antibiotics, diuretics and whatnot to try remove the edema, always under the watchful eye of our vet, one of the most competent professionals in the country. However, the progress we were hoping for never came. The edema didn't recede, she became increasingly reluctant to eat until she was almost skin and bones, her heart was a train wreck, and she became but a shadow of what she once was. I suffered and cried in silence many nights fearing for the worst.

We took her to the vet for a check-up this evening. And the verdict was clear - there was nothing else to do. Her jowls would most likely explode from fluid accumulation in a short time, and that would bring yet another load of problems.

God knows we did everything we could in our hands to save her.

But it wasn't enough.

And so we realized, with lots of tears and sadness in our eyes, that the time to say goodbye had come. In a matter of minutes, the vet put our little baby out of her misery.

I kept petting her head all the time, comforting her in her last minutes.

I must say I am half devastated and half relieved as I write this. Sussie left a huge void in our hearts and souls, but I also know she's in a much better and colorful place now, where she isn't suffering anymore.

I'm not much into writing poems, but I think this would be a good time to try.


I knew you since you were a cute little pup
and it is amazing
how you start taking some things for granted
and all of a sudden
what once was it suddenly isn't anymore
just like that
maybe that's what life is all about
but how hard life lessons are to learn
sometimes



How could I ever forget
your endless barking when I got home from work
followed by the Basset 500
your sweet Aroos
your lots of unrequited love and understanding for us all
the many smiles you brought to our faces
the companion on hard times
and on better times too



How can't I miss you

You were so loved
you were so cared for
you were the closest thing to a daughter for me
but today
fate decided that enough was enough
you wanted to be free
as the wind
and so you were



I just hope that
the pain of your passing will give way
to the realization of your peace
You may have left us but not be forgotten
for you will always live in our hearts
until we meet again


Thank you all for your support and friendship over the web through all these years.

__________________
You're nothing but a hound dog, the King sayeth.

AmyB

I am so sorry for your loss. I know the pain you feel. 1 1/2 years ago, I had to make the same decision when my Sadie was suffering from cancer. It was the hardest thing I ever had to do, but at the same time, I knew it was right. I truly believe Sussie is in a place free from pain, with friends all around her. Take Care.
Amy

__________________
Amy, mom to
Sadie (ATB, 6/9/06) & Spencer (ATB, 8/19/10) - always in my heart
and Clifford (gotcha date 7/2/11).

EccentricGirl42

I am so sorry for your loss of Sussie. We had to put one of our dogs to sleep just this past November. I had never been through anything like that before and it was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. I'm sorry for the pain that you are feeling right now.

Sussie was beautiful. I know you will miss her, but the pain will get better and eventually you will be able to think about her and smile at the good memories.

Lightning&Stomps

Just a little while ago I was wondering how Sussie was doing. I'm so sorry that it turned out this way. She was a beautiful girl.

shallhb

I'm very sorry. she was a beautiful dog.

__________________
Sharon Hall

Grace (puppy in training)
Bella, UD, VER, TD, RE, CGC
Pearl,UD, TDX, RE, CGC (Waiting at the Bridge)
Samantha, Theodore, CGC, Louella, Zeke and Arty, Bassets All; (All Waiting at the Bridge)

Rubydoo

I am so sorry for your loss.

And I love your poem.

Janice and little Ruby

__________________
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...w/IMG_1340.jpg
Take a basset hound to lunch today!
--Bassets rule....and drool!

Jake's mum

We are sorry to learn your sad news. Sussie was a very beautiful girl.

__________________
Mum to Jake Hound, rescued 9th April 2001, ATB 28th December 2009
Mum to Harvey Hound, born 16th May 1999
England

Yogi's Mom

I am so sorry to hear about Sussie. She was a beautiful girl. I thought your poem was wonderful and it brought tears to my eyes. In time I hope you will find comfort in your many memories of Sussie.

Elvismom

I am so sorry that Sussie made her trip to the Bridge. I know she has left a huge hole in your life & heart. I am happy, though, that she is no longer suffering.

Lots of healing drool being sent your way & we will light a candle for Sussie.

__________________
Chris
Foodslave, chauffer & doorperson to Elvis, Georgia, Ginger & Maggie, Crissy & Dart

BubbaLeroy

Oh, Beto,
My heart goes out to you and your family at this sad time. I, too, know what you have been through after having to send our beloved, Bubba, to the rainbow bridge when he was seven due to lymphoma cancer in December of 2005. You did your very best for Sussie, and she knew she was loved. Just hang on to those wonderful memories, and know that she will always live in your heart. Your poem and tribute to her were beautiful. She was a very lucky Basset to have shared her life with such a special person and family.

__________________
You don't own a Basset, a Basset owns you!!
Aroooooos from Bogie !! - Trumbull's Who's Teasin Bogart CGC- Born April 21, 2005
ATB: Bubba - (Trumbull's Surley It's Stormin Norman) Sept. 8, 1998 - Dec. 20, 2005